Cell proliferation on the outer anterior capsule surface after extracapsular lens extraction in rabbits.
OBJECTIVE
To use light microscopy to evaluate the presence and distribution of cells that proliferate on the outer surface of the anterior capsule after experimental lens extraction in rabbit eyes.


METHODS
Research Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, Wakayama Medical College, Wakayama, Japan.


METHODS
Extracapsular lens extraction, with or without implantation of a poly(methyl methacrylate) intraocular lens, was performed in 10 adult albino rabbits under general anesthesia. Animals were killed 1 month postoperatively. Each eye was embedded in paraffin and examined by light microscopy.


RESULTS
A capsular bag composed of the anterior and posterior capsules was observed. Mononuclear cells, presumed to be lens epithelial cells (LECs), had proliferated in the space between the capsules as well as on the outer surface of the anterior capsules, in association with an accumulation of extracellular matrix.


CONCLUSIONS
After lens extraction, LECs migrated to and proliferated on the anterior surface of the anterior capsule.
Saika
S
S
Department of Ophthalmology, Wakayama Medical College, Japan.
Ohmi
S
S
Tanaka
S
S
Miyamoto
T
T
Kawashima
Y
Y
Ohnishi
Y
Y
Kanagawa
R
R
Yamanaka
A
A
Ooshima
A
A
D000818:Animals; D002387:Cataract Extraction; D002455:Cell Division; D002465:Cell Movement; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D007903:Lens Capsule, Crystalline / Q000473:pathology*; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular; D007910:Lenses, Intraocular; D008297:Male; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate; D011817:Rabbits
D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate